In the beginning, before time as mortals knew it, there was only the Void, a boundless emptiness stretching endlessly in all directions. From this Void emerged twelve cosmic beings, each embodying a fundamental aspect of existence. They called themselves the Primordial Gods, the architects of creation and the essence of life, death, chaos, order, and all in between.
These gods—Anima (Life), Mortis (Death), Pandemonium (Chaos), Harmonia (Order), Lux (Light), Umbra (Darkness), Sophia (Wisdom), Bellum (War), Pax (Peace), Somnium (Dreams), Chronos (Time), and Moirai (Fate) each held dominion over their aspect, giving shape and meaning to the universe. Together, they created worlds, filling the Void with stars, planets, and realms beyond mortal comprehension.
As eons passed, the gods found themselves isolated in their greatness. They had constructed everything, given birth to endless wonders, and watched worlds evolve and fade. But something was missing, a sense of purpose beyond mere creation. Even their most intricate designs followed a predictable course, and the universe, once thrilling, had become mundane.
In their longing for purpose, the gods conceived a new plan: they would introduce Rends, dimensional tears that would open at their will, releasing creatures from their own divine realms into the mortal world. These Rends would create conflict, uncertainty, and chaos, drawing mortals into battles against beings beyond their understanding. The gods would bestow Charisms, powerful abilities linked to their divine aspects, upon select humans to help them fight back. This would give mortals a fighting chance, all while allowing the gods to observe a thrilling new game of survival, courage, and unpredictability.
To ensure their experiment would be captivating, each god took special care in creating creatures for the Rends that reflected their own nature. Lux, the God of Light, crafted radiant beings that could blind and scorch. Mortis, the God of Death, unleashed specters and decaying creatures that spread rot and despair. Bellum, the God of War, forged monstrous warriors that thrived in conflict, Pandemonium, the God of Chaos, spawned ever-shifting abominations that defied understanding and so forth.
The gods eagerly awaited the humans' reactions, curious to see how they would fight, adapt, and overcome the odds. But simply creating conflict was not enough. The gods wanted heroes, champions who would rise from the chaos, wielding the powers they bestowed, embodying the will of each god. And so, they called these chosen warriors Scions—mortals blessed with a single or multiple Charism, making them conduits for divine power. Each Scion represented the essence of one god, acting as an avatar of their will within the mortal world.
Every Scion has a personal reserve of energy called Mana, which fuels their Charism. Mana is a life force unique to each person, and it replenishes over time. The amount of Mana required to activate a Charism depends on its power and complexity. Mana is vital for using Charisms effectively, and overexerting it can lead to fatigue or even permanent physical harm.
As the Rends began to open, the gods watched from their ethereal realms, each reveling in their chosen champions' feats and failures. Life and Death observed the delicate balance of creation and destruction. Chaos and Order marveled at the dance of unpredictability and stability. The gods placed wagers, testing their Scions in increasingly difficult challenges, granting them gifts or revoking their powers on a whim, all to keep their interest piqued.
Yet, despite the spectacle, the gods were not omniscient. They were so consumed with observing the Rends and the struggles of their chosen Scions that they failed to sense an anomaly, a child born with the power to wield not just one Charism, but all twelve. Unbeknownst to the gods, this being, prophesied in the distant past as the True Scion, had the potential to unify the powers of every god and end their game forever.
And that 'True Scion' just so happened to be Tysis Cage.